The Economical Benifits of Legalizing Marijuana

Topics: Illegal drug trade, Mexican Drug War, Drug cartel Pages: 6 (1341 words) Published: October 9, 2008
The Economical Benefits Of Legalizing Marijuana

Marijuana has created a hidden market in the United States which accounts for as much as 10% of the

American economy, according to a study. Laws punish marijuana cultivation more strictly than murder in

some states, but Americans spend more on illegal drugs than on cigarettes. The American economy has

been suffering a downturn, while in the shadow economy of the underground world there are high levels of

success, mimicking the prohibition period of alcohol, which fueled the illegal markets in the 20's and 30s.


of the public over the age of 12 having used the drug. It is estimated that marijuana is the nation’s largest

cash crop, producing $25 billion in revenue. Keeping marijuana illegal looks expensive and is expensive.

Did you know that one important reason it was outlawed was because it could be used to make hemp. Hemp

is a plant that is a valuable natural resource which has agricultural and industrial

uses. Hemp could of been used to make paper, so no more tree chopping. Paper is made from dead trees so a

DuPont chemical must be used, but this chemical is not necessary when it is made from hemp. The DuPont

Company put pressure on the politicians to outlaw hemp. Marijuana can also be used to make other products such

clothing and rope. We can even make marijuana oil which can be used as a renewable fuel. What a powerful

economy we could create through the marijuana industry if only, The United States would legalize it.

The various levels of American government have in the past, and will spend in the future, billions of dollars on

marijuana enforcement alone. The laws against the drug are strict, as there were 724,000 people arrested for

marijuana offences in 2001 and about 50,000 went to prison for possession. Commercial growers can serve

sentences far longer than those for murder, but the high risks have had little effect on production or availability.

When surveyed, 89% of secondary school students indicated that they could easily obtain the drug. We could save

our government tons of money in all levels of federal, state and local areas who participate in the “War on Drugs”,

by not using our tax dollars to support the people we jail for using, growing, and selling marijuana. It is extremely

expensive to pay for their food, housing, health care, attorney fees, court costs and other incurred expenses. Instead

we could be collecting taxes on its revenues and have more money to pay for effective drug education programs and

other important causes. The billions of dollars that go to waste fighting the war against an inevitable activity is much

less detrimental to our society then the war itself. With careful regulation of the drug, it could be beneficial to our

society, with minimal risks accompanying the use and more economic advantages. Some such advantages would be


plant. Pharmaceutical companies would then distribute the plant to pharmacies like Rite Aid or Walgreens and



help teach classes for our future pharmacists of tomorrow. This will increase enrollment which helps the local

economy as well. Purchasing Marijuana and paying a proposed Marijuana Tax would mean having more money to

spend on important problems, if only it were legal.

Some of the most expensive weed is grown indoors on the west coast using advanced scientific techniques, but

the American heartlands...
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